Method, system, and apparatus for speedloading an ammunition magazine

ABSTRACT

A system for inserting one or more rounds of ammunition into an ammunition magazine is disclosed and claimed including a quick load apparatus comprising a plunger, a plunger guide, an optional spring, and an optional sleeve stop. A method of inserting one or more rounds of ammunition into an ammunition magazine is also described and claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to firearms and, more particularly, to a system, method, and apparatus for quickly loading an ammunition magazine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ammunition magazines are used to hold multiple rounds of ammunition and for feeding the multiple rounds of ammunition into a firearm, such as an M16 or an AK-47. Traditionally, ammunition is manually inserted into an ammunition magazine one round at a time. Speed loaders may be utilized to decrease the amount of time required to insert multiple rounds of ammunition into an ammunition magazine.

Existing speed loaders sometimes include a sleeve for loading multiple rounds of ammunition into an ammunition magazine at one time. However, use of traditional speed loaders increases the likelihood that one or more ammunition rounds will become misaligned or jammed within the ammunition magazine. Additionally, simultaneously loading multiple rounds of ammunition increases friction between the multiple rounds and the ammunition magazine, making it more difficult to insert the rounds into the magazine.

An alternate method of quickly loading an ammunition magazine is the use of thumb plungers which sometimes include a ring through which a user's thumb is inserted and a relatively thin tab for pushing the rounds into the ammunition magazine. However, because the thumb plunger is not integrated into the structure of the ammunition magazine, it may be inadvertently removed from the magazine between insertions of multiple rounds of ammunition. This results in the user having to re-position the thumb plunger to its functional location which inadvertently distracts the user. This distraction may be hazardous to the user, especially if the user is engaged in combat while loading the ammunition magazine.

Thus, a need exists for a novel system, method, and apparatus for quickly loading multiple rounds of ammunition into an ammunition magazine that is easy to use and reduces the level of concentration necessary for a user to dedicate to the loading process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus comprising a sleeve with an integrated plunger further comprising a sleeve stop to effectively position the sleeve at a pre-determined location relative to an ammunition magazine. A plunger guide may be utilized to ensure proper alignment of the plunger as it is inserted into the ammunition magazine. An optional spring may be utilized to return the plunger to a neutral or disengaged position.

In another embodiment of the invention, a system may include the apparatus described above in combination with an ammunition magazine to create an ammunition speed loading system.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of quickly loading multiple rounds of ammunition into an ammunition magazine comprising removably coupling a sleeve comprising a sleeve stop, a plunger, and a plunger guide to an ammunition magazine, inserting a round of ammunition into a cavity formed by the sleeve and the ammunition magazine, and utilizing the plunger to displace the round of ammunition into the ammunition magazine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for quickly loading rounds of ammunition into an ammunition magazine, in accordance with the invention, including an ammunition magazine and a quick load sleeve;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the quick load sleeve of FIG. 1, illustrating a plunger handle, a sleeve stop, and an optional spring;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the quick load sleeve of FIG. 2, illustrating the plunger handle, a plunger shaft, a plunger plate, and a plunger guide;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the plunger of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the quick load sleeve of FIG. 3, illustrating ammunition guides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in one or more embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements. While the invention is described in terms of the best mode for achieving the invention's objectives, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents as supported by the following disclosure and drawings.

Turning to FIG. 1, an example quick load system 10 comprises an ammunition magazine 12 and an exemplary quick load apparatus 14. An optional Velcro strap 16 or similar connecting device removably couples the quick load apparatus 14 to the ammunition magazine 12. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user slides the quick load apparatus 14 onto the ammunition magazine 12, creating a cavity (not shown). The user may subsequently place a round of ammunition into the cavity. The quick load apparatus 14 includes a plunger 18 that the user may utilize to translate the round of ammunition from the cavity into the ammunition magazine 12.

Different kinds of firearms may utilize different types of ammunition magazines. For example, an ammunition magazine configured to work on an M16 may not integrate properly into an AK-47. For this reason, multiple kinds of ammunition magazines are manufactured for use with disparate types of firearms. Accordingly, multiple kinds of quick load devices 14 may be manufactured for use with multiple disparate types of ammunition magazines. Alternatively, a multi-purpose quick load apparatus may be configured to work with multiple disparate kinds of ammunition magazines. As such, the invention described herein is not limited to a specific type or kind of firearm or ammunition magazine.

Turning to FIG. 2 the exemplary quick load apparatus 14 comprises the plunger 18, an optional sleeve stop 20, and an optional spring 22. The sleeve stop 20 may be utilized to properly align the quick load apparatus 14 with the ammunition magazine 12 (FIG. 1) and ensure an appropriate size and shape of the insertion cavity (not shown). The spring 22 returns the plunger to a neutral position, after it has been displaced by the user. In this embodiment of the invention, a plunger guide 24 ensures that the plunger 18 is properly aligned within the quick load apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plunger 18 of FIG. 2, comprising a plunger handle 26, a plunger shaft 28, and a plunger plate 30. The plunger handle 26 allows the user top translate mechanical force to the plunger shaft 28 which, in turn, translates it to the plunger plate 30. The plunger plate 30 exerts force on an ammunition round (not shown), causing it to be displaced from the insertion cavity into the ammunition magazine 12 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 is a side view of the quick load apparatus 10 of FIG. 2, further comprising optional ammunition guides 32. These optional ammunition guides 32 assist in properly aligning rounds of ammunition with the insertion cavity 34 formed by the plunger guide 24, the ammunition guides 32, and the ammunition magazine 12

Turning to FIG. 5, a method 100 of inserting a round of ammunition into a quick load system 10 is illustrated. Step 102 begins the exemplary method by attaching a quick load apparatus 14 to an ammunition magazine 12, forming an insertion cavity 34. A round of ammunition (not shown) is inserted into the insertion cavity 34 in step 104. The round of ammunition is translated from the insertion cavity 34 to the ammunition magazine 12 in step 106 by displacing the plunger 18 which, in turn, displaces the round of ammunition. The plunger is returned to its neutral position in step 108 by way of the optional spring 22.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A system for inserting one or more rounds of ammunition into an ammunition storage device, comprising: an ammunition magazine; and a quick load apparatus comprising a plunger, wherein the quick load apparatus is removably coupled to the ammunition magazine and further wherein the ammunition magazine and the quick load apparatus form an insertion cavity.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the quick load apparatus further comprises an apparatus for removably coupling the ammunition magazine to the quick load apparatus.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the quick load apparatus further comprises a plunger spring for returning the plunger to a neutral position.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the quick load apparatus further comprises a plunger guide.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the quick load apparatus further comprises a sleeve stop.
 6. A method of inserting a round of ammunition into an ammunition magazine, comprising: forming an insertion cavity by removably attaching a quick load apparatus to an ammunition magazine; inserting the round of ammunition into the insertion cavity; and translating the round of ammunition from the insertion cavity into the ammunition magazine.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising returning the plunger to a neutral position after translating the round of ammunition into the ammunition magazine.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the quick load apparatus comprises a plunger.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the quick load apparatus comprises an ammunition guide.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the quick load apparatus comprises a sleeve stop.
 11. A quick load apparatus, comprising: a plunger; and a plunger guide.
 12. The quick load apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a sleeve stop.
 13. The quick load apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a spring.
 14. The quick load apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an ammunition guide.
 15. The quick load apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plunger comprises a plunger handle.
 16. The quick load apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plunger comprises a plunger shaft.
 17. The quick load apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plunger comprises a plunger plate. 